NCAA Basketball kicks off!!!

NCAA Basketball is Back!!!

The excitement returns in earnest this week after a smattering of games over the last week or so.

Firstly, I will not openly be anti-Duke this year!! Not necessarily a fan but now have family there so good luck to Josh Hairston and Coach K’s Blue Devils, except maybe in your two games versus the Tar Heels!!!

Do not be surprised to see the ACC take its third NCAA tile in a row come April 2011. May not necessarily be the Duke squad though. North Carolina is looking for blood after a sub par season by lofty Tarheel standards.

Elsewhere around the country, Michigan State looks solid again and should go deep into the post season. Ohio State will be good, Kansas will be solid, and Kansas State may be better than their in state rivals.

As the season progresses look for St. Mary’s, CA and Gonzaga to pop up as always from the West.

Inevitably there will be mid major and small conference surprises so look out big time programmes, it only takes one game to change a season.

My Current NCAA Top 10

1. Duke
2. Michigan State
3. North Carolina
4. Pitt
5. Kansas State
6. Kansas
7. Villanova
8. Ohio State
9. Florida
10. Syracuse

The season cranks up big time tonight on ESPN….can’t wait!!!

NBA Update

The Hoops Roundup……NBA

With the NBA season a little over a week old…..there are some surprises around. Chris Paul, now healthy has led the rejuvenated New Orleans Hornets to a perfect start. The team is using a balanced scoring attack to keep the pressure on opponents with Jason Smith bringing energy and skill from the bench now that he is finally getting more court time with his new team. Emeka Okafor is always a double/double threat alongside the equally dangerous David West.

The Boston Celtics are solid so far and the surprising play of Glen “Baby” Davis is a bonus. The “Big Shamrock” has been effective when on the court. Kevin Garnett’s antics have been a disappointment but are consistent with “KG”, sorry young man but the late Maurice Lucas would have probably broken your jaw!!

The NY Knicks unfortunately are looking like the same old Knicks. Chicago and Milwaukee are looking to be the cream of the Central Division with Indiana looking dangerous at times.

In the Southeast, Miami is still trying to get it together and need to find consistency. Meanwhile Orlando and Atlanta top the division at this stage.

Other than the Jazz, San Antonio and Dallas are on top of their game in the Southwest.

Utah is on a five game winning streak at the moment and looks solid with Paul Milsap leading the charge.

In the Western Division the Lakers are off and running but Golden State has regained the dangerous team label to start the season and Monta Ellis has transformed into a team leader with success.

Though John Wall is rounding into a brilliant player, the Washington Wizards are lagging behind and need to improve.

The Rookie Class so far has a few surprises to go with the expected performance of John Wall and Blake Griffin. Undrafted rookie Ish Smith has emerged to become the starting point guard in Houston, Gary Neal is impressing at San Antonio in limited court time, and Gary Forbes is looking solid for Denver.

Top 10:

My fist NBA Top 10 of the year.

1. New Orleans Hornets
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Boston Celtics
4. LA Lakers
5. Orlando Magic
6. Dallas Mavericks
7. Miami Heat
8. Atlanta Hawks
9. Utah Jazz
10. Golden State Warriors

Back in a week or so with more.